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SEC notebook102005 dogbytes18Athens Banner-HeraldThe string bracelet quarterback Brodie Croyle wears around his left wrist isn't just for looks. It's also, he says, a good-luck charm. He said he had worn a rubber band since the eighth grade and it snapped twice before a game, once as a senior in high school and once last season. Both times, he said, he tore a knee ligament in the game and his season was over. Croyle said a girl gave him a new, sturdier bracelet after he spoke to a group of fifth-graders.--> SEC notebook | Associated Press | Story updated at 12:06 PM on Thursday, October 20, 2005 Alabama

The string bracelet quarterback Brodie Croyle wears around his left wrist isn't just for looks. It's also, he says, a good-luck charm. He said he had worn a rubber band since the eighth grade and it snapped twice before a game, once as a senior in high school and once last season. Both times, he said, he tore a knee ligament in the game and his season was over. Croyle said a girl gave him a new, sturdier bracelet after he spoke to a group of fifth-graders.

Arkansas

Georgia will need to cover receiver Marcus Monk, a 6-foot-6 sophomore. Monk leads the team with 21 catches for 260 yards and four touchdowns. He caught a touchdown pass to give Arkansas a 7-0 lead against Georgia last year and has made at least three catches in 11 of his 17 career games. He finished his freshman season with 37 catches for 569 yards and six touchdowns.

Auburn

Auburn's visit to Baton Rouge will be a short one. The Tigers will fly into town about three hours before Saturday night's game with LSU because of a shortage of available hotel rooms after Hurricane Katrina. "There are no complaints on our part," coach Tommy Tuberville said. "We'll go down there and play and it will make no difference on who wins and loses the game." Tennessee also flew into town on game day while Florida opted to spread its team in various area hotels.

Florida

The Gators' most costly defensive breakdowns have come with the free safety out of position. Sophomore Kyle Jackson misplayed two long touchdown passes at Alabama earlier this month and didn't play much better at LSU last week. Jackson allowed LSU's JaMarcus Russell to complete a third-and-9 pass to Dwayne Bowe for 31 yards early in the fourth quarter. Bowe was wide open down the middle of the field and Russell lobbed the pass to him. The completion set up Joseph Addai's 3-yard scoring run that put the Tigers ahead for good in the 21-17 victory.

Kentucky

Taking advantage of an open date, coach Rich Brooks traveled to Oregon last weekend to participate in ceremonies honoring the Ducks' 1994 team, which he guided to the Pac-10 championship and the Rose Bowl. Oregon inducted that team into its athletic hall of fame. Brooks, whose job status at Kentucky has been questioned for much of the past two seasons, cited his successful rebuilding job at Oregon as one reason he should serve out his five-year contract.

LSU

LSU is going back to basics to fix its turnover problems. The Tigers have nine turnovers in two weeks, and a premium is being placed on ball security this week against Auburn. LSU has the worst turnover margin in the SEC, at minus-six. LSU has lost 11 of 14 fumbles and thrown four interceptions. "We have to quit (turning the ball over)," offensive coordinator Jimbo Fisher told The Times-Picayune. "We have to take a look in the mirror and decide how important it is to do things right all the time. It's not effort and it's not them doing it on purpose, and that's where I take blame for it. It's fundamentals."

Mississippi State

Jerious Norwood is adding a new responsibility to his game, too. The preseason all-SEC running back will return punts for the Bulldogs against Houston. "It's the same thing as if we ran a toss sweep," coach Sylvester Croom said. "Then you line up on first down and 'Let's go.' That's the way I look at it. (Norwood) gets an extra down." Norwood and freshman Derek Pegues are replacing Jonathan Lowe, whose fumble of a punt two weeks ago led to a Florida touchdown. Lowe also failed to catch two punts deep in Mississippi State territory, leading to a pair of safeties.

Ole Miss

Robert Lane brings a fullback's mentality to the quarterback position. Now the high school All-American quarterback has moved to fullback. Lane, the latest Rebels player to change positions under new coach Ed Orgeron, could play up to four positions this week against Kentucky. The backup quarterback and reserve fullback also practiced at tight end and wide receiver.

South Carolina

Almost no other spot on the Gamecocks has had as much shifting and changed positions as the O-line. That's perhaps one of the biggest reasons the Gamecocks are last in the SEC in rushing with only 78.5 yards a game. Nine players have started on the offensive line this season, including James Thompson and Jamon Meredith. Center Chris White and Na'Shan Goddard are the only players who have started all six games this season. And more changes are coming this week. Coach Steve Spurrier said Thomas Coleman will start at right guard for Thompson and Goddard will move to right tackle.

Tennessee

Coach Phillip Fulmer makes a habit of explaining to players the history of Tennessee's rivalries before most games. The Volunteers' history with Alabama goes way back. Tennessee visits the Crimson Tide on Saturday in a rivalry dating to 1901. It became known as the "Third Saturday in October," when the game was traditionally played, but it's on the following Saturday for the fourth year in a row.

Vanderbilt

In each of Vanderbilt's last two SEC losses, receivers dropped passes. Against Georgia, Marlon White had the most obvious drop with a would-be touchdown pass that went right through his hands. Coach Bobby Johnson said, "It's pretty obvious to me if guys can make great catches, if they can catch it one time, they can catch it all the time.